JP3608566B2 - Shooting device - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a photographing apparatus using a digital camera and a strobe.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In recent years, there has been remarkable progress in the field of digital camera technology in the photographic industry, and with this, digital cameras have emerged as a product group, and the conventional silver halide camera is no longer in number of digital cameras. It is becoming.
[0003]
The background of the rise of digital cameras in this way is that images can be confirmed immediately, personal computers (hereinafter referred to as personal computers) and printer devices have rapidly spread, and the development of communication networks.
[0004]
In other words, with a conventional silver salt camera, it is not possible to confirm the completion of a photo immediately after taking a picture, and it is not possible to re-take with a film once used, which is economically efficient. It was not a thing. Also, to send it to a remote location, it had to be by mail.
[0005]
On the other hand, in the case of digital cameras, you can check the shot image on the spot where it was taken, capture it to a PC, print it out with a printer, or send an image to a remote acquaintance through a network such as the Internet. You can enjoy it in various ways.
[0006]
In addition, since the captured images are digitally stored in the memory electronically, unnecessary images such as failed images and images that you do not like can be deleted on the spot, making it possible to effectively use the memory. .
[0007]
Here, in the use of such a digital camera, the most frequently photographed images include personal images such as a commemorative photo when traveling and a snapshot in daily life.
[0008]
In particular, an important point in taking these portraits is a photo opportunity, that is, a timing to release the shutter.
[0009]
With regard to this photo opportunity, the conventional silver salt camera and digital camera are greatly affected by the skill of the photographer, and the timing of the moment is missed, which greatly affects the quality of the photo.
[0010]
In order to solve this problem, some high-end models of silver halide cameras have built-in motor drives or can be equipped with them. I selected the photo that I liked most. Also, there are models with a continuous shooting function in digital cameras, and by using such a function, a device has been devised to capture the best possible photo opportunity.
[0011]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
Many of the human images are taken by young children, and in such cases, depending on the photographer, it is difficult to take pictures with good expressions. The present condition is that nothing is devised.
[0014]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to solve the above problems, a camera of the present invention is a photographing device capable of setting a self-timer function, and includes a speaker unit, a memory unit for recording audio data, and a memory unit according to a user instruction. An adding unit that adds a shooting start signal to a desired portion of the recorded audio data; a shooting start signal reading unit that reads the shooting start signal; and the shooting start signal reading unit that reads the shooting start signal, or And control means for controlling to take an image when a predetermined time has elapsed after reading the imaging start signal .
[0015]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, the photographing apparatus of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
[0016]
FIG. 1 shows a configuration when a digital camera according to the present embodiment is used. Reference numeral 1 denotes a camera body, 2 a shutter button, 3 a speaker unit, 4 a display unit, 12 a lens, 6 a digital electronic camera fixing means such as a tripod, 11 a strobe, and 20 an operator as a subject. The image display unit 4 also serves as a viewfinder during normal photographing, and is configured with a liquid crystal screen or the like.
[0017]
FIG. 2 shows a side view of the camera 1, and the image display unit 4 is configured to be reversed as shown in the figure, FIG. 2 (b) shows normal shooting, and the image display unit 4 is on the photographer side It can be seen from. FIG. 2A shows a state in which the display unit 4 is inverted, a state in which the display unit 4 is visible from the lens 12 side, and shows a state at the time of self-timer photographing in the present embodiment. In addition, when the image is reversed above the camera 1 as in the configuration of FIG. 2, if the display is switched so as to be displayed when the image is reversed, the top and bottom of the image can be viewed when viewed from the direction of arrow A in the figure. Will not reverse.
[0018]
FIG. 3 shows the top surface, back surface (surface opposite to the lens) and bottom surface of the camera 1, 8 is an optical viewfinder, 9 is a memory slot for inserting a memory for recording a photographed image, and 10 is auxiliary. An auxiliary memory slot 5 for using the memory is an operation unit. Here, a recording medium such as an SD card can be considered as the memory.
[0019]
Although the captured image can be confirmed on the display unit 4 during normal photographing, the optical viewfinder 8 can be used with the display function of the display unit 4 turned off in order to reduce power consumption.
[0020]
FIG. 4 shows a block diagram of signal processing in the camera 1. In the figure, a solid-state image pickup device (CCD) 30 is an image pickup device that converts an image incident through a lens 12 into an electric signal, and is driven and controlled by a CCD drive control means 31. The analog signal processing unit 32 is a processing unit that performs analog signal processing such as gamma processing on the video signal obtained by the CCD 30. The A / D conversion unit 33 is a conversion unit that converts the analog video signal output from the analog signal processing unit 32 into a digital signal.
[0021]
The digital signal processing unit 34 is a signal processing unit that performs digital signal processing such as noise removal and edge enhancement on the video signal converted into a digital signal by the A / D conversion unit 33. The buffer memory 35 temporarily stores the image signal that has passed through the digital signal processing means 34. The image once recorded in the buffer memory 35 is controlled to be written into the image recording means 37 such as an internal memory or a recording medium in accordance with a command of the image recording control means 36, and the image recorded in the image recording means 37 is an image. The image is displayed on the image display unit 4 in accordance with a command from the display control means 38.
[0022]
A command transmitted from the remote control 7 is received by the remote control receiving unit 40, timer information set by the operation unit 5 is received by the timer setting unit 41, and a signal from the shutter 2 is received by the shutter control unit 42. In addition, it has a network transmission / reception unit 48 that transmits / receives information via a communication network such as the Internet. All of the information is controlled by a built-in microcomputer 50 to control the camera 1 or display on the display unit 4 Is done.
[0023]
Next, an operation when photographing using the camera having the above configuration will be described.
[0024]
First, it is set so that an image prepared in advance is displayed on the image display unit 4. For example, an image previously captured by the camera 1 is set, image data that has been captured in a nonvolatile memory is captured and set in the camera 1, an image obtained through a network such as the Internet is captured, or the camera 1 An image prepared in advance can be displayed.
[0025]
That is, in FIG. 4, the image data stored in the image memory 46 is displayed on the image display unit 4 by the image display control unit 38, and the image captured from the external memory 47 is displayed by the image display control unit 38. Or the image data captured from the network transmission / reception unit 48 can be recorded in the image memory 46 and then displayed on the image display unit 4.
[0026]
At this time, the microcomputer 50 displays the image data in conjunction with the information from the timer setting unit 41 and the command from the shutter control unit 42.
[0027]
Here, the operator 20 considers the person who is the subject together with him and selects an image to be set in advance. For example, in the case of being with a child, an image of an animated character that the child is interested in can be set, and in the case of being with a grandchild, a face photo of the mother can be set. Furthermore, the display image is not limited to a still image, and can be a moving image that the mother calls to her child. In such a case, if the size of the image data is large, the moving image stored in the SD card or the like as the external memory 47 can be displayed using the auxiliary memory slot 10 described above.
[0028]
Furthermore, the operator 20 can store several types of images in a storage unit such as an SD card in advance, and can select which image to use as appropriate according to the person who is the subject.
[0029]
Next, the self-timer is set by the operation unit 5. Here, the time (waiting time) from when the shutter button 2 is pressed until the first shooting is performed, the number of shots, and the shooting interval are set. In some cases, the strobe can be turned ON / OFF. The set information is detected by the microcomputer 50, and the camera 1 is controlled according to these setting conditions.
[0030]
For example, the waiting time is set to 10 seconds, the number of shots is set to 3, and the shooting interval is set to 0.3 seconds. At this time, the operator 20 fixes the camera 1 and at the same time performs the above setting, and then moves to the shooting location after waiting for the shutter button 2 to be held.
[0031]
The first shooting is performed 10 seconds after the shutter button 2 is pressed. At this time, an image preset by the operator 20 is displayed on the display unit 4. Since the image displayed at this time is an image in which the subject is interested, there is a low possibility that the subject will turn sideways or look at the camera.
[0032]
Subsequently, a total of three images are taken at 0.3 second intervals.
[0033]
Next, the operator 20 can check the three images taken by the image display unit 4 of the camera 1, leave the most favorite image, and delete other images.
[0034]
Further, when the above-described shooting is continuously performed, each image continuously shot by one shutter operation can be displayed on the image display unit 4.
[0035]
For example, when shooting with sunset, it is necessary to finish shooting within a short time. Therefore, after taking 3 shots (scene A), the sunset is shot from the front of the person who is the subject, and then continuously taking 4 shots with the sunset back (scene B). Assuming that five shots (scene C) are taken at an angle irradiated from the side of the subject, three scenes A are first displayed on the display unit 4 after the shooting is finished, and then four scenes B are displayed. Finally, five scenes C are displayed, and a favorite image can be selected as appropriate.
[0036]
In other words, after taking the first three pictures, it takes time if the photographer returns to the position of the camera and carefully selects a favorite picture from the three pictures, and the sunset changes every moment. You miss a photo opportunity. Therefore, in the same state, the process proceeds to the next four condition setting and shooting operations. Similarly, after taking the last five pictures, the best images of each scene can be carefully examined and selected together. .
[0037]
As described above, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to shoot without missing a photo opportunity by using the self-timer function and simultaneously shooting continuously.
[0038]
Even if the subject is a commemorative photo when the subject is an infant, a child, or the like, an image showing the subject's interest is displayed on the display unit 4, so that the subject has a lively expression without facing sideways. Can be taken.
[0039]
Furthermore, the camera according to the embodiment of the present invention has a function of reproducing audio data using a speaker.
[0040]
In FIG. 4, the audio data sent from the external memory 47 storing the audio data to the microcomputer 50 via the audio information control means 49 is sent to the speaker unit 3 in conjunction with the command sent from the shutter control unit 42. Is reproduced as audio information.
[0041]
That is, by outputting sound linked to the image displayed on the display unit 4 from the speaker unit 3, it is possible to further improve the degree of attention of the subject to the camera 1.
[0042]
For example, when taking a picture of a baby, you can take a picture of a more lively expression by outputting a sound such as “… Chan, take a picture. Yes cheese” along with the image of the mother. It becomes possible.
[0043]
Of course, it is not necessary that the image is always played back while the sound is flowing. For example, an image that surprises the subject at the last moment when the sound data is played. May be displayed. By combining such audio data and image data, it is possible to bring out expressions that the subject does not usually show.
[0044]
As described above, when a speaker is used, the sound can be heard in conjunction with the displayed image, so the effect is greater.
[0045]
In addition, as a different shooting method when using the above-described speaker, voice data is input in advance, and the voice data and the shutter of the camera 1 are linked to take a picture that captures more photo opportunities. I can do it.
[0046]
For example, when practicing a dance, put the data of the theme song of the dance as audio data, and add a signal corresponding to “bookmark” to the part corresponding to the moment you want to shoot in the song data. By doing so, it is possible to adopt a configuration in which the shutter can be released at the moment when the “bookmark” portion is reproduced while the music data is being reproduced from the speaker.
[0047]
Then, you can shoot without missing the moment of “determined pose”. In this case, the shooting intervals need not be equal and can be used not only for dancing but also for golf swing self-checks.
[0048]
At this time, the distance between the reproduction of the “bookmark” portion of the audio data and the moment when the shutter is released may be shifted in advance by a predetermined time in consideration of the distance between the camera and the subject. For example, if the distance between the camera 1 and the subject is about 3 meters, it takes about 0.01 seconds for the subject to detect the sound, so the timing of releasing the shutter is set to 0.01 from the moment when the “bookmark” portion is reproduced. It is also possible to capture the timing more accurately by delaying the second.
[0049]
In the above, it is not always necessary to use the self-timer function. For example, when photographing a moving subject like the dance described above, the photographer simply holds the camera 1 and follows the subject with the viewfinder. By simply performing the operation, the shutter can be automatically released at an appropriate timing, so even an operator unfamiliar with the camera operation can take a picture capturing the timing.
[0050]
Here, various methods can be considered as the method of adding the “bookmark” information. For example, in FIG. 4, the image display unit 4 or the audio information control unit 49 from the external memory 47 in FIG. By reproducing the information from the speaker unit 3 and operating the operation unit 5 at the moment when the user wants to release the shutter, the bookmark information is sent from the information adding means 51 to the microcomputer 50 and the “bookmark” information is added. I can do it.
[0051]
Furthermore, after viewing the first shooting result, it is also possible to shift the “bookmark” information back and forth in increments of 0.05 seconds, for example. By taking such a configuration, it is possible to perform shooting with more timing. It becomes possible.
[0052]
FIG. 6 further shows that in the embodiment of the present invention, a strobe 60 is provided separately from the camera, the camera 1 is at a distance a from the photographer (subject) 20, and the strobe 60 is the position of the photographer 20. It is a figure which shows the structure set | placed on the point which was distant by distance b near.
[0053]
The strobe 60 and the camera 1 have a function capable of automatically measuring the distances b and a to the subject. As a means for automatic measurement at this time, there is a distance measuring method based on the principle of triangulation, which includes a light emitting element and a light receiving element.
[0054]
In addition, the camera 1 and the strobe 60 have a function capable of wireless communication, and can transmit and receive signals to and from each other.
[0055]
The photographer 20 sets a self-timer using the operation unit 5 of the camera 1. In this case, the waiting time, the number of shots, and the shooting interval can be set as described above.
[0056]
For example, the waiting time is set to 15 seconds, the number of shots is set to 3, and the shooting interval is set to 0.3 seconds. Next, after pressing the shutter button 2, the camera moves to the shooting location and waits. Three shots are taken at 0.3 second intervals 15 seconds after the shutter button 2 is pressed. At this time, a shooting start signal is transmitted from the camera 1 to the strobe 60, and the strobe 60 emits light in synchronization with the shutter of the camera 1. Transmission / reception of signals between the camera 1 and the strobe 60 is performed in the strobe transmission / reception unit 43 (FIG. 4).
[0057]
Here, the amount of light required for the strobe is proportional to the square of the distance between the subject and the strobe. Therefore, if the camera and the strobe are integrated, a strobe with a large amount of light is required to shoot a distant subject. Especially, it is impossible for continuous shooting with a short shooting interval. Therefore, by arranging the strobe 60 separate from the camera 1 at a position closer to the subject than the camera 1, the amount of light required for the strobe 60 is reduced, and continuous shooting with a short shooting interval is also possible.
[0058]
Furthermore, by disposing the strobe 60 and the camera 1 apart from each other, all photographing methods such as irradiating the subject with strobe light from the lateral direction or obliquely upward are possible.
[0059]
Here, the photographer 20 may set the relationship between the strobe light irradiation angle and light amount and the aperture of the camera 1, and can also be set automatically.
[0060]
That is, when the photographer 20 sets the irradiation angle with the camera 1, first, the dimension C of the shootable range at the subject position (distance a) at that time is calculated on the camera 1 side in conjunction with the zoom magnification of the lens. The
[0061]
The information is transmitted from the strobe transmitter / receiver 43 to the strobe 60, and the strobe 60 sets the irradiation angle so that the dimension D of the light irradiable range at the distance b to the subject is larger than the dimension C.
[0062]
FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a configuration of the strobe 60, and FIG. 5A is a side view of the strobe 60. Here, 61 is a light emitting part of the strobe 60, 62 is a fixing part of the strobe 60, and this part is used to fix it to a tripod or the like. Reference numeral 63 denotes an irradiation reference frame, 64 denotes an irradiation reference point, and a configuration of each of the irradiation reference points viewed from the direction of the arrow A is shown in FIGS. 5 (b) and 5 (c).
[0063]
Here, the irradiation reference frame 63 and the irradiation reference point 64 are fixed on the main body of the strobe 60. As shown in FIG. 5B, the irradiation reference frame 63 has thin lines drawn vertically and horizontally at the center of the frame, for example. The center position can be seen. The irradiation reference point 64 has, for example, a triangular shape as shown in FIG. 5C, and when the photographer sees from the direction of arrow A in FIG. By overlapping with the center of 63, that is, the intersection of thin lines, as shown in FIG. 5D, the strobe 60 is moved to the subject by aligning with the center of the subject to be photographed on the extended line of the overlapping point B. It can be set accurately toward the center.
[0064]
That is, by this operation, it is possible to avoid the deviation between the dimensions D and C calculated by the camera 1 and the strobe 60.
[0065]
Here, the case where the irradiation reference frame 63 and the irradiation reference point 64 are fixed on the strobe 60 main body has been described. However, the irradiation reference frame 63 and the irradiation reference point 64 may be rotatably mounted as shown in FIG. It can be stored compactly when not in use.
[0066]
At this time, information may be transmitted to the strobe 60 by operating the remote controller 7 by the operator 20 or may be transmitted in real time in conjunction with changing the zoom magnification of the lens. Is possible.
[0067]
Regarding the aperture, information set by the operator 20 in the operation unit 5 is transmitted to the strobe 60. Based on this information, the amount of light to be emitted on the strobe side is determined. Of course, it may be configured to be automatically set according to the brightness at the time of shooting.
[0068]
In addition, when setting the number of shots and the shooting interval, when these pieces of information are transmitted to the strobe 60, the light emission capability is calculated on the strobe side. If it is impossible, a warning signal is transmitted from the strobe 60 to the camera 1. A configuration is also possible.
[0069]
For example, even if the shooting interval is set to 0.3 seconds and the shutter button is pressed, the strobe 60 is automatically changed to 0.5 seconds due to insufficient capability, or the operator 20 increases the shooting interval. It is also possible to adopt a configuration in which the indicator is turned on when the value is within the strobe capability range.
[0070]
When the distance between the subject and the camera 1 is long, the image display unit 4 is preferably used in the OFF state. In this case, the timing at which the shutter is released can be seen from the subject by using a conventionally used indicator or the like.
[0071]
Further, the strobe 60 is not limited to one lamp, and a plurality of lamps can be used, and a variety of photographing can be performed. Of course, the strobe 11 built in the camera 1 can be used together as auxiliary light.
[0072]
Next, the operator 20 can set shooting conditions from the shooting location toward the camera using a remote controller. Information transmitted from the remote control 7 is received by the remote control receiving unit 40 of the camera 1 and sent to the microcomputer 50 to control the camera 1 in conjunction with other information.
[0073]
As setting conditions here, in addition to standby time, shooting interval, number of shots, shutter speed and aperture, the zoom magnification of the lens can also be set.
[0074]
For example, when the standby time is set to 2 seconds, the shooting interval is 0.3 seconds, and the number of shots is 3 shots, shooting is started 2 seconds after the photographer 20 sends a command to the remote controller 7 toward the camera 1, Three images are taken at 0.3 second intervals.
[0075]
Of course, at this time, the strobe 60 can be caused to emit light in conjunction with the camera 1 as described above.
[0076]
Even when the self-timer function is used, if the standby time is set to be long, it may be felt that only a few seconds are long. Conversely, since the standby time is set short, the photographer 20 does not reach the shooting location. However, when the remote controller 7 is used, such a problem is solved and shooting can be performed at a more accurate timing.
[0077]
【The invention's effect】
By providing an image display unit or speaker unit and making the display unit visible from the subject when shooting, or by allowing the sound from the speaker unit to be heard, it is possible to give a lively expression to the subject Become.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a schematic view showing a form of photographing in an embodiment of the present invention device. FIG. 2 is a side view of a digital camera in an embodiment of the invention. FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the signal flow of the digital camera in the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the configuration of the strobe in the embodiment of the present invention. The figure which shows the form of photography using the strobe in the form of
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Camera 2 Shutter button 3 Speaker part 4 Image display part 5 Operation part 7 Remote control 9 Memory slot 12 Lens 20 Operator (photographer)
30 CCD
35 Buffer Memory 40 Remote Control Receiver 43 Strobe Transmitter / Receiver 47 External Memory 60 Strobe 61 Light Emitter 63 Irradiation Reference Frame 64 Irradiation Reference Point

Claims (2)

An imaging device capable of setting a self-timer function,
A speaker unit;
A memory unit for recording audio data;
An adding means for adding a shooting start signal to a desired portion of the audio data recorded in the memory unit according to a user instruction ;
A shooting start signal reading means for reading the shooting start signal;
Control means for controlling to shoot when the shooting start signal reading means reads the shooting start signal, or when a predetermined time has elapsed after reading the shooting start signal;
An imaging device comprising: A photographing method of a photographing apparatus that includes a speaker unit and a memory unit that records audio data and is capable of setting a self-timer function,
An additional step of adding a shooting start signal to a desired portion of the audio data recorded in the memory unit in accordance with a user instruction ;
An output step of outputting audio data recorded in the memory unit as audio from the speaker unit;
A reading step of reading the imaging start signal;
A photographing step of photographing when the photographing start signal is read or when a predetermined time has elapsed after reading the photographing start signal;
A photographing method comprising:

Images